Jesmond Zerafa appointed Naxxar Lions coach

Naxxar Lions have appointed Jesmond Zerafa as their new coach. Zerafa replaces Winston Muscat who led the team since November 2011, winning promotion from Division 1 at the end of season 2012/13 and securing Premier League status at the end of last season.

Zerafa started his coaching career with Tarxien Rainbows before joining Qormi in 2007. He led the club to promotion to the Premier League and coaching the club for another two years. Zerafa then moved to his boyhood club Valletta in season 2010/11. With the Citizens, he won two successive championships but after his contract was not renewed, he returned with Qormi in October 2012, signing a contract until the end of the season. Last season, Zerafa took over as coach of Balzan in October, leading the club to a Championship Pool spot.

Naxxar, who are currently second from bottom in the BOV Premier League with just three points after seven matches, are coming from a heavy 1-5 defeat to Hibernians in their last outing.